South Carolina Toughens Drunk Driving Law

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has signed a law to toughen the state’s penalties for driving under the influence and to remove enforcement loopholes.

The bill significantly strengthens the state’s DUI laws, toughening penalties for most first time offenses and all second and subsequent offenses, while removing community service as a sentencing option for second and subsequent offenses.

In addition, the bill for the first time introduces a “tiered” penalty system, with greater punishments for offenders who are grossly intoxicated. The bill also creates tougher penalties for refusing to take blood alcohol tests.

The new law also removes a number of administrative loopholes that had been used in the past to give defense attorneys an advantage in court.